The momentous decision to turn the covered courtyard in Wokingham town hall into a café/bistro was approved last Wednesday evening by the slimmest of margins. Four district councillors on the seven-strong development control committee waved through the application.

The decision comes seven years after ideas about finding an alternative use for the Grade-II* listed building’s indoor courtyard area were first discussed by owners Wokingham Town Council.

Existing traders in the courtyard market will now be moved out and the new ‘Courtyard Restaurant’, boasting a food counter, tables, chairs and outside seating, will be put in its place.

The decision has shocked campaigners opposed to the plan, including 2,000 people who signed a petition objecting to the scheme two years ago. They were hoping the committee would opt to preserve the building in the interest of safeguarding the town’s heritage.

Those backing the scheme remain optimistic the new café will attract more people to Wokingham and prove a popular eatery used during farmers’ market days and other events.

Paris Livanis, the Reading restauranteur who submitted the application, said he would work with the town council and Wokingham History Group to try to retain the original features of the Victorian building.

Speaking exclusively to the Times, Mr Livanis said: “I have owned other restaurants over the years and they have all been a success. Despite what some people may think we are not going to change the structure of the covered courtyard — just refurbish it.

“The market is dying and a restaurant will only enhance it — I strongly believe that.”

The new restaurant will be a la carte, selling hot and cold meals, coffees, pastries and will be open for light lunches continuing through to the evening when three-course meals will be available.

At the meeting Trevor Ottlewski, chairman of Wokingham’s History Group, bemoaned the loss of heritage and history the development would represent.

He said: “If this goes ahead it’s the end of an indoor market for Wokingham. The atmosphere of the courtyard will be lost meaning a huge loss of amenity for people in the town.

“The courtyard is not only used by market traders but schoolchildren who come to see the old prison cells, artists and community groups.

“There has always been an extensive covered market here and centuries of tradition will be gone.”

Cllr Annette Drake, vice-chairman of the development control committee, said the scheme would enhance the town centre but Cllr Christopher Schutz said there was no need for another restaurant in Wokingham.

Stallholders who trade in the courtyard will continue on their month-by-month contracts until the renovation gets underway — work is not expected to start for another three months at least.

The Government Office for the South East (GOSE) will now consider a separate application to change the use of the listed building which could take at least six weeks.

Anne Billen, who runs the card stall in the market, said it was good the traders finally knew what was going on but was not surprised about the

decision.

Brenda White, owner of the antique stall for nine years, said: “There have been so many years of uncertainty, at least we can now get on with it. We resigned ourselves this was going to happen away.

“We only hope the town council fulfills its promise to accommodate some of us with the town hall.”